Rotating Equipment Mechanic – Oleochemical Refinery

About the Role

Start your shift with a toolbox talk, review the Job Safety Analysis (JSA), and lock out energy sources before you touch a bolt. From there, your day blends precision craft with problem-solving: laser-aligning a motor to a centrifugal pump, rebuilding a positive displacement unit, installing steam tracing on a new line, or torquing a critical flange to spec. You may prep an ASME pressure vessel for internal entry, pull a heat exchanger bundle, or machine a keyway on the Bridgeport-style mill—all while keeping detailed notes in the CMMS.

As a hands-on expert, you work with limited supervision, exercise sound judgment, and uphold stringent safety, environmental, and quality standards. This position mirrors the scope of an industrial mechanic or millwright within a continuous process manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do

Safety & Compliance

• Follow plant safety programs at all times: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, hot work permitting, fall protection, and energy isolation procedures.
• Identify hazards and control risks through JSAs and adherence to established procedures.
• Stop any job that threatens personnel safety, equipment integrity, or operations.

Rotating Equipment Maintenance

• Diagnose, disassemble, inspect, repair, and reassemble centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, including seals and bearings.
• Perform precision shaft alignment using laser tools and dial indicators.
• Install and torque couplings, bearings, and rotating assemblies to manufacturer and plant specifications.

Valves, Piping & Flanges

• Remove, inspect, repair, and reinstall process valves.
• Execute bolted flange assembly using best practices to achieve leak-free joints.
• Replace gaskets with correct torque sequencing and bolt loading.
• Support piping modifications and mechanical installations.

Steam Systems & Thermal Equipment

• Install and maintain steam tracing: bend and flare tubing, install steam traps, and troubleshoot condensate systems.
• Maintain shell-and-tube heat exchangers, including bundle removal, inspection, and reinstallation.
• Support work on distillation columns, hydrolysis towers, and distillation systems.

Pressure Vessels & Process Equipment

• Assist with maintenance of ASME-coded pressure vessels and refinery process towers.
• Prepare for inspections, manage internal entry prep, and support reassembly of large vertical vessels.

Rigging & Handling

• Perform basic rigging to safely move pumps, motors, exchanger bundles, and piping components.
• Inspect and correctly use slings, shackles, and lifting devices per safety standards.

Machine Shop & Fabrication

• Take precision measurements with micrometers, calipers, and dial indicators.
• Operate manual equipment: engine lathe, Bridgeport-style milling machine, drill press, and broaching tools.
• Drill, tap, fabricate, and modify parts to support maintenance needs.
• Machine and fit keyways and shafts for rotating equipment repairs.

Preventative & Predictive Maintenance

• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance across hydrolysis, distillation, fractionation, separations, utilities, and logistics systems.
• Document work accurately in the CMMS.
• Recommend improvements to procedures and reliability practices.
• Keep tools, rigging gear, and shop areas in safe, serviceable condition.

Outages & Operations Support

• Participate in major outages, shutdowns, and turnarounds.
• Work extended hours or shifts as required during outages.
• Provide lubrication, inspection, and general mechanical troubleshooting support.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 3+ years of industrial mechanical maintenance experience in a refinery, chemical plant, power plant, or similar heavy industrial setting OR completion of a recognized Industrial Maintenance, Millwright, or Mechanical Technology program.
• Hands-on experience with centrifugal pump repair and precision alignment (laser or dial).
• Working knowledge of bolted flange assembly practices.
• Experience operating manual machine tools (lathe and milling machine).
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
• Proficiency with micrometers, calipers, and dial indicators.
• Working knowledge of steam systems and steam traps.
• Ability to safely perform rigging tasks.
• Knowledge of LOTO and refinery safety procedures.

Preferred

• Formal Millwright or Industrial Mechanic apprenticeship.
• NCCER Industrial Maintenance or Millwright certification.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Confined Space Entry and Fall Protection training.
• Experience with shell & tube heat exchangers and ASME pressure vessels.
• Background in oleochemical, chemical, or refinery operations.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Use PPE; tasks may occur in confined spaces.
• Frequent walking, standing, lifting, pushing, pulling; carry objects up to 50 lbs.
• Climb stairs and ladders to heights of 120 feet.
• Lift equipment up to and exceeding 40 lbs to perform maintenance duties.
• Turn valves, move handles, and work overhead.
• Support TRT's annual shutdown.

Proficiencies

• Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills
• Maintenance and Repair Skills
• Equipment Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
• Mechanical Systems & Component Repair
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Equipment Repair & Maintenance
• Equipment Installation